The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
