The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
