The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
