The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
