India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
