The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
