India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
