India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
