India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
