The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
