India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
