India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
