The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press