India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
