The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
