India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
