The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
