The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas 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, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
