India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent 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 gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
