India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
