The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave 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 a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
