The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
