India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
