The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep 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 essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
