The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
