India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
