India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
