India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
