The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
