India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
