The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
