India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
