India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
