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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press