India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
