The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
