India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered 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 skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
