India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures 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 clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
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 help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi 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 - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
