The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
