India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
