India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
