India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
