India's unexpected 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 loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
