India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
