The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
