India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
