The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball 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 at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
