India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
