The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
