India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
