India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
