India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
