India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press