India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
