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, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
