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 inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
