The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
