India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
