India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
