The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
