The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
