India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
