India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
