The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
