India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, 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, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
