The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
