India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
