India's unexpected 0-2 series loss 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
