India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball 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. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
