The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
