The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
