The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing 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 whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
