India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India 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 positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
