India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
