India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players 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 in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
