India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
