The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on 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 showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
