The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat 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 marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
