India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
