India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
