India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
