India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
