India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
