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, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces 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 considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
