India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
