The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
