The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
