India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
