India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press