The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
