The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
