India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
