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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press