The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
