India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
