The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
