The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
