India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
