The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory 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 reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
