The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks 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.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
