India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, 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, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
