India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
