India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
