The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
