India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It 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 remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
