India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
