The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar 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 nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
