India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
