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

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

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

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press