India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
