India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like 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 looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
