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 handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
