The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
