The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
