India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
