India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
