The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
