India's shocking 0-2 series 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, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
