India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
