India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
