India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
