The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test 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 South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
