India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
