The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
