The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
