India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, 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 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
