India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
