India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
