India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
