The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
