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 inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
