India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
