India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable 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 help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
