The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
