India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
