India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
