The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
