The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
