India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
