India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 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 prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
