The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
