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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.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, India seem beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press