India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
