India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, 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 major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
