The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
