India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
