The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
