India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory 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 unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
