India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
