India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
