The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press