The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, 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, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
