India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
