India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
