India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
