India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
