India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
