India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
