The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
