India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win 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 winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
