India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
