India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
