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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press