India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
