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 inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
