India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
