India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
