The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
