India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India'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 several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
