India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got 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 South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press