The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press