India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
