India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
