India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
