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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test 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 marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press