The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
