India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
