The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
