India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
