India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win 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 momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
