India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
