The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
