The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
