The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home 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 futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
