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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India seem beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified 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 starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press