India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
