India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
