India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
