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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press