India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
