India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
