India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
