India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
