India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press