India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
