India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman 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 team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
