The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
