India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
