The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
