The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
