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.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
