India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
