The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
