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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent 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. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press