India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
