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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press