India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
