The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
