India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
