India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
