India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
