India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
