India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
