India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
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, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
