India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
