The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India 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 positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
