India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
