India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like 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 spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
