The Indian cricket team'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 inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
