India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
