The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
