India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
