India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
