India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
