The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
