The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, 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 invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
