The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout 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 claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
