The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
