The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, 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 team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
