India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
