The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
