India's surprising 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 their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
