The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
