India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
