India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
