India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
