India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
