India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India 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 last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
