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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press