India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
