India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
