India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
