India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
