The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
