The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent 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 winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
