India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press