The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
