India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
