India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
