India's unexpected 0-2 defeat 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, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
