India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
