The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
