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 inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
