The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 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 loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent 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 momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
