India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
