The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest 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 built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
