India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
