India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
