India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
