India's surprising 0-2 series 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 defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
