India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
