India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
