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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press