India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
