India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year 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 England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
