India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings 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 identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
