India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
