The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, 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.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
