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.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
