India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
