The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - 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, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
