The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
