India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball 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 at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
