The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
