India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' 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 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
