India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
