India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
