India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
