The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
