India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
