The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
