India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
