The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
