The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
