India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
