The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. 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 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
