The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
