The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
