India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
