The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
