India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
