India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
