India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
