India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India 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.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
