The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
