The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
