India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India'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 dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
