India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
