India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
