India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 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 fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
