The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
