India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
