The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
