India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
