India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
