India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
