India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
