The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
