India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
