The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
