The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
