India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
