The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
