The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
