India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
