The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
