The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
