India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
