India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis 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 failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
