India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
