The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis 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. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
