The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
