India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible 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 the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching 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
