India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
