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.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
