The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
