India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, 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 home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
