India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
