India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
