India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off 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 the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
