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

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

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

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press