The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
