India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - 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 targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
