India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
