The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
