India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
