India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
