India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
