The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
