The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
