India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
