India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
