India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
