India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
