The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
