India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
