India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
