The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
