The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, 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 - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
