India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
