India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
