The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
