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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid 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, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press