The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
