The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
