India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games 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. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
