India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
