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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

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

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

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

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press