India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces 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 aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
