The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
