The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
