India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly 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 both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
