The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
