India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
