India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
