The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
