India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph 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 momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
