India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
