The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
