The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
