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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India 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 positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press