India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph 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 momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
