India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press