India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
