India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests 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 format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
