India's shocking 0-2 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 defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
