India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
