India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
