The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
