India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
