India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
