India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
