The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings 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 Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
