India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
