India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
