India's surprising 0-2 series loss 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 Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
