The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
