The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
