India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
