India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
