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

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team 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 unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press