The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
