India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
