The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
