India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
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 looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
