India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
