The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
