India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
