India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
