India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
