India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
