The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
