India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
