The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
