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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record 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 home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was 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 the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press