India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
