India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
