India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
