The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
