The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
