India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
