India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
