India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
