The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
