India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
