The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
