India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
