The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
