India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
