The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
