India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished 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 was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
