India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press