India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. 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. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable 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 developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
