The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
