India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
