India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, 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 domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
