India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home 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 surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
