India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
