The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
