The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
