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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.

Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press