The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
