India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers 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 looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
