The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
