India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
