India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
