The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
