India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
