The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
