The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
