India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
