The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent 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 established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
