India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record 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 a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
