The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying 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 home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
