The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
