India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
