The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
