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

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press