India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
