India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
