India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
