India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper 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 performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
