India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
