The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
