The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability 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.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
