India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
