The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
