India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
