The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
