The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 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 India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
