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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press