India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
