The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects 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 number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
