The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
