India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
