India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
