The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
