India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
