The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
