The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
