The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph 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 winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
