India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
