India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
