The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
