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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season too.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press