India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
