The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat 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 defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
