India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas 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, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
