India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
