India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
