The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
