India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win 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 winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
