India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
