India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
