India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. 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 positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
