India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa 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 the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
