India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
