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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press