India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
