India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
