India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
