India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
