India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
