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 inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
