The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
