India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
