India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
