India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
