The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But 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 aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
