The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
