India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
