India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
