The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
