India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
