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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press