India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
