India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
