The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
