India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
