India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
