The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
