The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
